Blackburn Rovers 1 Manchester United 3

PAUL Scholesé happy knack of being in the right place at the right time came to the fore as Manchester United produced a brilliant display of attacking football in coming from behind to book a place in the Worthington Cup final.

PAUL Scholesé happy knack of being in the right place at the right time came to the fore as Manchester United produced a brilliant display of attacking football in coming from behind to book a place in the Worthington Cup final.

The United midfielder struck twice after Andy Cole had fired Blackburn into an early lead and with the Reds well in control, Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a second half penalty to seal a trip to Cardiff to play Liverpool on March 2.

With only a 1-1 score to take into the tie from the home leg, United needed to be at the best, but they got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind on eight minutes.

Spurred into action

Tugay, who tormented United in the first leg, prodded through a chip for Cole and the former United striker displayed all the attributes that made him a hero at Old Trafford in calmly lifting the ball over Fabien Barthez.

That goal spurred United into action and 20 minutes later they pulled level.

David Beckham marauded down the right wing and from his low cross Scholes controlled at the second attempt before firing past Brad Friedel.

But perhaps the biggest blow for Blackburn came five minutes later, when Damien Duff was forced off injured to be replaced by Keith Gillespie.

Without Duffés surging runs Rovers rarely threatened again and it came as no surprise when United took control of the tie in the 41st minute and again it was Scholes who scored.

Scholes on target

The England international has been in fine goalscoring form of late and he swept home his 14th of the season after Gary Neville had made good ground down the right and pulled the ball back into his path.

The second half continued in much the same pattern, as Friedel was forced to make good saves from Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane.

And though Blackburn threatened briefly when Cole sent a free header into Barthezés chest, United killed the tie with 15 minutes remaining.

Having pushed everyone forward, Blackburn were caught by a classic counter attack as van Nistelrooy raced clear and was brought down by Friedel with the goal gaping.

Somehow the American stopper stayed on, but the charity ended there as the Dutchman stepped up confidently to secure United's first cup final appearance in four years.